FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

BY GREG STANGL

As a part time Floridian I am always interested in what is happening in the local real estate market. And with so much building going on right here in Labelle ,it’s alway interesting to see how the market will shake out. 

From what I have read in the papers and see on TV, Florida real estate is about to go through some major changes. For years it has been a sellers’ market with buyers regularly paying more than the listed price of a home. But that’s about to change.

Apparently they are currently building more houses and condos than the market is demanding, and between hurricanes and the price of insurance, home values are tanking. If you have ever wanted to buy an actual home in Florida this might be the time, although you may need to plan on a total rebuild about every 5 to 10 years. And it might take some time to find an insurance company that will cover you. 

Switching gears here to RV parks, on a recent trip to Acadia we saw several new RV parks being built. One (and this really surprised me) was literally out in the middle of nowhere. Not a Walmart or gas station within miles. 

According to RVers magazine, at least eight new RV resorts are coming online in the area in the next several years, which will boost inventory by nearly 3500 new sites. High demand however is keeping lot rental prices high. Seems like snowbirders prefer to rent as opposed to buy. 

Have you noticed the new RV development right along route 80 just the other side of the Walmart? It’s called “Old Florida” and it’s an ‘ownership-based’ park, meaning that you have to buy the lot first, then park your rig on it.

Thinking about living there? Lots run from a paltry $290 to $350 THOUSAND! Oh, and to qualify you have to have a motorhome worth $500K or more. That’s a little rich for my blood. Site plans are available on the internet if you’re interested. 

A quick survey of area RV parks showed yearly lot rental In this area running from $500 to $1000 a month depending on location and amenities. There is no extra charge for alligators, however. Generally, the closer you are to a beach the more it’s going to cost you. But at the same time, you’ll have an excellent seat the next time a hurricane comes roaring by. 

By the way, it’s been pretty cold up north. I asked my buddy Cliff why he was only wearing one snow boot. He said there was only a 50% chance of snow. 

SERIOUS WARNING: FERAL PIGS ARE ABOUT

BY GREG STANGL

Just a friendly reminder there are literally thousands of feral hogs wandering around southern Florida. Coming home from Moore Haven a few nights back I managed to hit one. 

Feral pigs are known to be dangerous to people particularly when they travel in herds with their young. They can be aggressive toward dogs and other pets as well.

The U. S.  Department of Agriculture also writes that feral swine can carry 39 diseases and nearly 40 types of parasites that can affect people, pets and livestock. Some diseases such as pseudorabies are fatal to cats and dogs that are exposed from direct contact with feral swine carcasses 

The pig that I hit was about 200 lbs and black in color. I did not see it until it was way too late.  Especially if you are out driving at night, take extra precaution. They are everywhere. 

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CAPTAIN QUICK LUBE

By Greg Stangl

Need a quick oil change? I stopped by Captain Quick Lube located at 419 S Main St. in LaBelle and was amazed at the service and price. My total bill for my 2012 Nissan was a tad under $60.00 for a synthetic blend oil and the service was so fast that I did not even spend 5 minutes there!  I like the fact that they did not try to sell me upgraded oil and cabin filters. 

They prefer cash but will accept credit cards for an additional 3.5 percent service fee. So for a quick no frills oil change Captain Quick Lube is my go to place. Their phone number is 863-674-1402.

I thought I would do some hard core investigative journalism (and get some lunch at the same time) and compare local places that serve tacos. Now keep in mind that these are my opinions and they may vary from yours.

So where do tacos come from? Your instincts are probably correct here: Tacos as we know them originated in Mexico and came to the US via the large number of Mexicans who migrated here. For years, Tacos were seen as lower-class street food.  Now they have become Americanized, using staples such as hamburger, yellow cheese and bell peppers.

I decided not visit Taco Bell as part of this research. I do love their tacos however, and their prices vary from $1.79 to $5.19 per taco. By the way, McDonald’s breakfast burrito (after all, what is a burrito but a rolled-up taco?) is $2.19 for two. And I like their mild sauce. 

I tried to compare taco-to-taco in the Labelle area and did not include any $ for additional items such as beans or rice. The criteria that I used to compare tacos consisted of the overall taste of the food, the price, and the service. All of these were soft corn tacos and heated before serving.

LAREDO TACO AT THE 711 GAS STATION  

($5.00 per taco) 

The Good

They serve a really large soft taco for a reasonable price. I had the chicken with shredded green pepper, onions, tomatoes and topped with shredded cheese. They make it right in front of you and you can select toppings from a limited menu. My wife had the beef taco and really liked it. They are kind of like the Subway of tacos. Service is fast!

The Bad

I felt the taco was just a tad dry, but there were other topping options and I may have missed the sauce. My taco was just slightly warm, not hot and lacked any spicy flavor. I prefer shredded pork but that was not offered as an option. I do have to mention that this taco left a taste in my mouth that lasted for a long time after consumption. 

BEEF O’BRADY’S TACO TUESDAY 

$7.99 for two tacos ($4.00 each) which includes chips and salsa.
Prices are higher when it’s NOT Taco Tuesday

The Good

Service is good and fast and done with a smile. The margaritas are excellent! The tacos are generous and served with chips and salsa. We had the blackened fish tacos and I found it hard to finish all the food. Maybe we should have split our dinner?

The Bad

As long as you’re there and as long as you’re in a restaurant it’s easy to add a drink or two to your order. Then there is the (18%) tip added onto the bill.  It’s not hard for the bill to top out over $20.00 per person. 

FIESTA FOOD MARKET

$4.00 for a single shredded pork taco.
‘Located about a block north of the Caloosahatchee draw bridge on Rt. 29. You have probably driven by it a hundred times.

The Good

Good. In my opinion, the best tasting taco of the bunch. It was overstuffed, served warm and plenty of optional toppings. This seems to be the place where the “locals” eat.  Also served with a small container of a delicious mild salsa. 

The Bad

Traffic is a little heavy in this area and it can be hard to get in and out of their parking lot. 

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So, in summary, for a quick taco lunch I recommend the Fiesta Food Market. For a nice leisurely dinner with friends, Beef O Bradys is the spot to go. 

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HAVE YOU BEEN TO ROOSTERS FARM STAND?

Are you in market for some fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables? Check out Roosters Farm Stand located on Route 80 just 18 miles north of LaBelle. You will find an impressive display of fruits, vegetables and plants. We recently purchased some plants there and we were impressed by the quality, size and price of the plants. 

Operated by brothers and native Floridians Tyler and Trevor Baer, Roosters features fresh tomatoes, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, locally harvested honey and fresh juices, jellies, cheese and salsas. When you think about locally grown Florida agriculture, Roosters is something to crow about!


~ Greg Stangl

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By Greg Stangl

I recently sat down with Lea Nour the owner of the new Culvers at 44 Lashley St. in LaBelle to find out about the new restaurant and what they plan to bring to the community. It is located across the street from the LaBelle Brewery next to Amigos and Beer. 

Q.   What brought you to invest in a Culver’s Franchise?

Lea came to the US from Lebanon at 18 thinking that she wanted to get into the hotel business. She was given the opportunity to be an operations manager for Culvers for 6 years before purchasing her own franchise.

Q.   What makes Culver’s different?

Lea said that everything in the Culvers culture is about putting people first. People come in as customers and leave as friends. We hand craft every meal and we celebrate our guests. Our core values include doing the right thing, delighting in every moment, practicing  kindness and growing stronger together. 

Q.   What is your favorite thing on the menu?

Lea reports that she loves the cod dinner and especially the hamburgers, made from fresh, never frozen beef.

Q.   When will the restaurant open?

The Culvers in LaBelle is scheduled to open Monday Dec. 2. And as a special treat, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free pint of custard.

Q.   Will you be hiring?

The LaBelle Culvers is always interested in hiring people from the community regardless of age or experience. Lea said the pay is competitive and they do offer benefits. Job positions are posted on the website Indeed or you can call 863-230-6032 for more information. 

Q.   Is there a senior discount?

Culvers offers a 5% senior and military discount on every order.  (Be sure to ask for it!) Team members get 50% off.

Q.   What are some ways you plan on getting involved in the LaBelle community?

Culvers offers community organizations the opportunity to participate in “share” nights. Groups such as cheerleaders, bands or clubs can send members to volunteer as greeters and runners at Culvers and the groups will receive a share of the profits for the night. They have already joined the local Chamber of Commerce. 

In 1984 Craig and Lea Culver along with his parents opened up their very first restaurant in Sauk City Wisconsin and began serving butter burgers and frozen custard. Now there are close to 1500 restaurants in 30 different states. 

About 15 years ago I interviewed Craig Culver for a business magazine and I found him to be sincerely interested about offering high quality food in a clean environment with a warm and friendly staff. I believe he has accomplished his goal. You will be pleasantly surprised with your first visit to Culvers. It lacks the “corporate indifference” that you will find at so many other fast-food restaurants. 

Another reason I am so familiar with the franchise is because their headquarters is located in Prairie Du Sac Wisconsin about 5 miles from our home in Merrimac. In this writer’s opinion, Culver’s offers an upscale alternative to the everyday burger place. With a menu that includes the signature butter burgers (the top and bottom of the bun are lightly coated in butter then seared on the grill) beef pot roast, fried shrimp and pork tenderloins in addition to their wonderful custard. There’s sure to be something for everyone. 

On a personal note, my wife and I frequent the Culvers in Sauk City Wisconsin. I love the two-piece cod dinner (I substitute the fries with onion rings) and my wife likes the loaded single butter burger combo or sometimes the fish sandwich. When we are in the mood for a treat, we like the turtle sunday (single scoop please). And no they do not use live turtles! It’s made with ice cream, hot fudge, caramel and pecans all topped with a cherry! YUM! When you’re ready for something really decadent try one of their salted caramel malts. It’s to die for!